11 pig farms in Penang now hit with ASF

GEORGE TOWN: With 11 pig farms in Penang now hit by African swine fever (ASF), pig farmers have been urged to give full cooperation to the state Veterinary Services Department (DVS) to stop the spread of the disease in the state.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said as the situation was worsening, he urged the farms not to keep the matter to themselves but open up to professional help.

ALSO READ: Culling carried out at second Penang pig farm due to ASF

"The number of farms hit by ASF has gone up from seven on Friday to 11 now.

"Of the four new farms, two were from central Seberang Prai and the remaining two were from south Seberang Prai.

"JPV will continue to visit pig farms and conduct tracing for ASF.

"We urge the pig farmers to give their full cooperation to the DVS to stop the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the state.

"There are farmers who tried to manage the situation themselves and refused to lodge a report (when their farms were hit by ASF).

Such action was dangerous, as the ASF virus had already hit the farms.

ALSO READ: ASF outbreak in Penang a 'disaster', says CM

"We want to prevent ASF from hitting other pig farms," he told reporters at Dewan Sri Pinang on Tuesday (Jan 17).

Meanwhile, Chow said three pig farms that were hit by ASF have been properly handled and pigs culled.

"The carcasses were buried on-site for farms which have space, and off-site for small farms which lack space.

"So far more than 4,000 pigs have been culled," he said.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, ASF had become a major crisis for the pork industry in recent years and was affecting several regions around the world.

It is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, and the mortality rate could reach 100%.

It was, however, not a danger to human health, but it had a devastating impact on the pig population and the farming industry.

There is currently no effective vaccine against ASF.